A while back I bought a nice 6in f12 lens in its cell and I am looking for a tube to mount this objective.

I contacted Gary at D&G and after 1.5 years I cannot get a clear answer from him when the tube will be available for delivery ...

Are there any other telescope tube suppiers I could be looking at ?

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What!? Go to Hastings Pipe. web page Click on to "small miscellaneous tubing". It's where a lot of us around CN get our tubing. You may have to modify an adapter to connect your cell to the tube but hey that's ATM for ya'. Mike

Andy I believe you have stated this truism before. I need to inform you that Parallax just drop ships Hastings tubes at one hefty markup in price I might add. No sense getting snockered like that. Mike

I think the thinnest speedymetals.com has is 1/8" wall even though I turned mine to 0.050"
Perhaps Parallax might be a good one. The only drawback they have is the tube size differences come in 1 inch increments, but a 7 inch tube might work for you - maybe.
Here is a pic of the speedy metals tube after black lacquer (sanded & polished)
Z28500

It's a little bit unclear to me whether the OP wants a bare tube or a finished OTA minus the lens that he already has.

Parallax could provide an OTA.

JimC

Actually I do have the lens in a collimatable cell (and dewshield) the AP focuser from their
6in Superplanetary series, and the tube rings to fit a 7in OTA

Paralex said they can provide me with a complete OTA (Tube, countercell, backplate and rings) minus focuser + Objective ...but its going to be well over $1,000 ..

Gloss white or gloss metallic black enamel is available at additional cost of $130.

Shipping to my destination will cost $140 ..
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So its about $1,300 for a complete OTA - I supply the Objective the Cell and the focuser.
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How about some specifics. Is it an AP or D&G lens? Is the focuser an older "cast" focuser with the blue draw tube? If so, is it integral with the back plate or does it have threads to screw it into a back plate?

No matter the answers, I bet the Hastings tube will do just fine, but having the answers will give us a much clearer picture as to how much work is involved. And speaking of pictures, those of the hardware would be great as well.

Designing a tube complete with baffling is straight forward and working with the Hastings tubes is easy really:

Take a look under the Millwork Components at the bottom of the list you'll find Plywood Cylinders, Bases, Caps then pick Columns 96 inches Tall Paint
Probably taller than what you want but they can cut them for you too. In fact you might need to cut it down in order to ship it for a reasonable rate.

I haven't bought anything from them but I've got them bookmarked for when I do a rebuild on the 13.1" scope.